Councillor Stewart relents over online rant at SBC

Councillor Rory Stewart has conceded that he was “not aware of the full facts” when he went online to criticise his own local authority, writes Andrew Keddie.

The Independent member for Jedburgh and District was commenting after meeting Scottish Borders Council chief executive Tracey Logan last week to explain comments posted on his Facebook page on January 14.

Mr Stewart had branded his council “a laughing stock” for cancelling all school transport after the Met Office had issued a snow warning.

Mr Stewart had said he would defend his views and his right to express them.

However, it is considered a breach of the councillors’ code of conduct for elected members to publicly criticise the paid officers of the council.

However, The Southern understands no further action will be taken against the 46-year-old, who released the following statement after his meeting with Ms Logan:

“Having had a constructive discussion with the council’s chief executive, I recognise that in the first instance it would have been better to have raised my concerns with officers before making public comment as I was not aware of the full facts surrounding the decisions.

“I recognise that these decisions are not easy ones and that there are a number of variables that cannot be accurately predicted.

“I appreciate that officers are working in the best interests of the public.”